Rosanne K Knox

US Patent:

7731471, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Aug 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/930315

Inventors:

Rosanne Knox - Troy MI, US
Martin Thompson - Seymour IN, US

Assignee:

Dura Global Technologies, LLC. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

B62D 43/00
B66D 1/00
B66D 3/04

US Classification:

414463, 254323, 254389

Abstract:

A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

US Patent:

7431268, Oct 7, 2008

Filed:

Sep 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/936269

Inventors:

Walter J. Steiner - Rochester Hills MI, US
Charles Flynn - Davisburg MI, US
Madhu Posani - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Rosanne Knox - Clinton Township MI, US
John Truckey - Mancelona MI, US

Assignee:

Dura Global Technologies, Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

B66D 1/00

US Classification:

254323, 414466, 224 4223

Abstract:

A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire on a vehicle which includes a carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire and a winch operatively connected to the carrier to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position wherein the carrier is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the carrier is accessible. The winch has a flexible member secured to the carrier and one of an electric motor and a manual device which selectively raises and lowers the carrier between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor is activated when the carrier is in the stowed position. A warning indicator is operably connected to the sensor so that the warning indicator is activated and provides the operator with a warning when the carrier is out of the stowed position and the sensor is not activated.